Buffalo Trace Distillery tour guide Freddie Johnson was ceremoniously presented a check from the  Freddie’s Old Fashioned Soda line at the Green Hill Cemetery in Frankfort to be used towards the refurbishment of the cemetery.

When the Distillery recently rebranded its root beer, ginger ale and ginger beer to name it after its world-famous tour guide.  After being approached by the company, Johnson suggested a portion of the proceeds from his namesake line be donated to the Green Hill Cemetery, a non-profit organization close to Johnson who has family members buried there, and who has been involved with the Cemetery for years. The initial donation totaled $11,872.

The Green Hill Cemetery, which is operated by a board of volunteers, including Johnson, has been in need of additional funding for years, per a news release. Green Hill, which was established in 1865, is home to Kentucky’s only monument honoring the nearly 25,000 Black Kentuckians who served in the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. Additionally, a corner of the cemetery is reserved for Franklin County’s pauper burials.

Johnson announced at the check ceremony that he is thrilled to be able to utilize the soda proceeds to restore the cemetery.

“This cemetery holds a lot of important historical significance for the local community as well as for the state of Kentucky,” Johnson said. “We are so thankful for this partnership and excited to put these funds to work to give this cemetery the restoration it needs, and give the families of loved ones buried here the final resting place their family members deserve.”

More information about Freddie’s Sodas can be found at https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/freddies.html.

Donations to the cemetery association are welcome; checks can be made out to: Social Good Fund. Memo: Freddie’s Historical Site Restoration Project.

Mailing Address:

Social Good Fund

12651- 5473 San Pablo Ave.

Richmond, CA